Description
An oyster farmer with a Nazi-style tattoo, a credible rape allegation, and explosive, near-record turnout in Maine’s Democratic primary: Jeff Mays, sitting in for Sam Roberts, asks state politics reporter Ben Oreskes how Graham Plattner’s stunning rise and fall left Democrats scrambling to replace him in a race they hoped would finally unseat Senator Susan Collins, and why the convention to pick a new nominee is exposing deep anger at party elites and media, along with a powerful distrust of institutions. Then Ben turns to New York, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Democratic Socialists of America are reshaping state politics far beyond the five boroughs, roughly doubling their numbers in Albany, winning congressional seats, forging uneasy alliances with Governor Kathy Hochul, and using World Cup soccer and Knicks fandom to connect a global, younger base to a hard-left agenda.
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Guest:
Ben Oreskes, NYT State Politics Reporter
Recording Date
07/21/2026
First Air Date
07/24/2026
Get closer to this week’s important issues and events. Veteran Times correspondent Sam Roberts returns to television to discuss the big stories with journalists covering them and with leading newsmakers. Preview articles that will appear in The New York Times over the weekend, discover the back stories and savor the conversation that has distinguished the program for 25 years.
For more The New York Times Close Up with Sam Roberts, visit http://tv.cuny.edu/show/nytcloseup
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NYTCU09039